is it possible to feed a dog vegetarian?

Answer 1

Yes it is possible to feed your dog a vegetarian or vegan diet. Unlike a cat, dogs are actually omnivores, not true carnivores. This means that they can be healthy without eating meats. The question of proper nutrition is not related to whether or not the diet contains animal products, but rather whether it contains sufficient amounts and proportions of a variety of nutrients. According to the National Research Council (NRC), Dogs require specific nutrients, not specific feedstuffs. Research comparing the digestibility of meat and plant protein found that, no differences in protein digestion of cereal-based diets were observed in this experiment. Another researcher cites the digestibility of cooked starch in excess of 90%. Overall, there are no major obstacles to vegetarian dog food. Dogs (and humans) need protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Too much or too little of any may cause problems such as obesity, malnourishment, or even vitamin or mineral toxicity. But don't panic! After all, you have been feeding yourself for many years without much thought. Dogs have many of the same requirements as people do, but may be more flexible in their ability to deal with some imbalances. It is important, however, that you have an understanding of where your needs differ from those of your animal friend. Dogs have a higher protein requirement than humans. One study demonstrated a minimum protein requirement of 6%. However, at this level, dogs were more prone to disease than at higher levels and the protein they received was carefully formulated to provide all their amino acid requirements. No optimum protein level is known. But no matter what quantity of protein is necessary (even over 30%), a vegetarian diet can meet the standard with a variety of legumes or other foods. Vegetables are highly digestible by dogs after cooking. Baking is best for nutrient retention; but boiling is fine, if you also use the water in the food. Dogs love most cooked vegetables, but may prefer them cut into small pieces or pureed. Whole cooked potatoes make an excellent snack. Beans, lentils and other legumes are especially high in minerals and protein. However, you should check the dogs stool to see if they are digesting such foods. If you see whole beans, for example, cook them longer and/or put them in a blender.

Answer 2

Is it possible? Yes... it is.

But a main concern would obviously be health.

In the wild, wolves are NOT carnivores. They are omnivores just as humans are. However, other animals such as cats ARE carnivores... which is why a vegetarian diet for a kitty is a big no-no.

Dogs are different, though.

Humans are omnivores just like dogs, and it is possible for a human to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. Whether or not this is healthy depends on how well the person balances their diet. To be honest, it takes a lot more work to balance the nutrients you're recieving and eating enough beans, tofu, veggies, and other foods to have a sufficient amount of protein and iron.

The same goes for dogs. There are vegetarian dog foods on the market... though, they are pricey. In order to grade how good the food is, its also a much different scale.

A dog raised on a vegetarian diet should have extra vitamins along with his food. Read the ingredients of everything to figure out how many nutrients the dog is taking in and be sure to provide a fair amount of protein. For the first few months, you will need to take the dog to the vet to check on his progress. If his new diet is affecting his health in any way... a vet can tell.

Different dogs react to different things; and a vegetarian dog versues a omnivorous dog fit under this category.

Some dogs need to go vegetarian since they have allergies to meat products. With proper care, the dogs WILL be healthy... though without monitoring vitamin and nutrient intake/supplements... the dog will most likely be ill.

So... is it possible? Yes.
Is it a good choice? It depends on how much extra time you have, how much healthier it will be for the dog, how much money you have, and your commitment to a balanced diet.

Answer 3

I've heard it's possible, but not unless you do *extensive* research and are really thorough.

But ask yourself...if you yourself are a vegetarian that's fine for you to make that choice for yourself. While I understand that, it really has no place in deciding a diet for a different species of animal. In the wild dogs will eat meat and bother less with fruits or vegetables..so let an animal eat what's more natural to them. I had a snake that I fed mice to. I didn't like it, but neither did I try to change it ;)

And whoever said vegetarian is better for them..where does that sort of thinking come from? God made what he made, and a species is real good at finding the foods best suited to it...

Answer 4

First... anyone that says dogs are omnivores should be discounted right away. DOGS are CARNIVORES. Look it up on google or via wikipedia or any other source.

CARNIVORES are MEAT eaters. Not plant/vegetation eaters....

Since dogs are CARNIVORES, they should be eating meat, not plants. In fact, if you want to do the research, you can discover dogs lack the enzymes to break down the cellular walls of vegetation...so they can't get any of the real nutrients out of plant matter. They may eat it when hungry, but they don't derive nutrients from this material. All the nutrients a carnivore needs are found in meat, bones, organ meat, skin, and other parts of prey like hair, etc.

Please do not try to feed a dog a Vegetarian diet. It would be species inappropriate, and would cause undue damage to the animal. Do the research before you try to force your beliefs/values onto an animal. People are omnivores (which means they can eat both meat and vegetation). Technically, people can survive eating only vegetation, but most people do not live this way. That is a choice for us.... for carnivores, it isn't a choice. Meat is what they need to live.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I don't think it is.. If you open their mouth and look inside, you can see that they have teeth meant to eat meat.. They don't NEED meat like a cat does, but they should have meat.. If you feed a vegetarian diet, you are feeding 1/2 of what they need.. You need balance.. Just cause you are a vegetarian doesn't mean you should force that on a dog.. They should eat meat..

Answer 6

It's not possible for a dog to survive on a vegetarian diet. It's possible to feed a dog vegetarians if that's what you meant - that is illegal however.

Answer 7

yes- my dogs eat fruits like watermelon and grapes and veggies like carrots and celery! although your dog can go vegetarian, it is best to keep him on a balanced diet that includes meat or at least dry/wet dog chow.

Answer 8

if you are asking if it is ok to make your dog a vegetarian then no because in the wild they feed off of meat based substances and that is where they get all there proteins and nutrients even though some vegetables supply them, they need meat. But i am not saying it is not possible to feed your dog vegetables but i am saying that you are best sticking to meat.

Answer 9

Yes, dogs, not cats - but it is very complicated.
You have to make sure the dog gets enough high quality protein, and, in spite of what one person wrote - it is NOT better for the dog.

Grain is what is in most cheap dog food (corn meal specifically) - it makes dogs fat, not well fed and leads to lots of health problems later in their lives.

Feed a good dry kibble with meat, not meat by products or grain, as the first ingredient.

Answer 10

Not if you want a healthy long living dog. Would you feed a rabbit on meat?